Photography:
Sarah Gubby

The Undy 500

When I first moved to Warrnambool, one of the first people I met was Emma Charlton, and one of the first things she said to me was this:

"There are two things I really love about this town. One: the Silver Ball on top of the Fletcher Jones building. And two: The Undy 500."

"What is that?" I asked.

"Every year, locals run down the main street of Warrnambool to celebrate the beginning of the Wunta Fiesta. In their knickers. No jokes!"

After hearing this, I knew I'd arrived in the right place.

This morning, the Undy 500 was run again with a very large crowd of spectators but not such a large competitor field. This video gives you a snapshot of one of the more unusual, and most lovable events held in Warrnambool each year.

Today's official winners were the brother and sister team, Kelly and Ben McLeod, but I think I can confidently say that today, everyone who got down to their underdacks was also a winner. It would have been great to see a few more bare legs out there, but we can always hope for next year!

The best story I have heard about the Undy 500 was some controversy that occurred last year. It came out in the local paper, The Standard, that two city councillors had reservations about the race, and didn't really want it to go ahead.

As you can imagine, there was a fair bit of public backlash about the remarks, ending in the event organiser, Catherine Williams, throwing down the gauntlet and challenging the councillors to compete in the race.

You will be very happy to hear that a few months later, those very same councillors were to be found pounding the pavement in their knickers to a bumper crowd of onlookers.

There were no councillors running this year, but even so I thought it was worth catching it on camera.

To film this kind of event, I did a quick story board last night and knew that I would need more than just one camera in order to capture the best bits of the action. So with very short notice, some very lovely people helped me out. Two lovely people from previous My Crazy Passion workshops came on board, and they roped in a friend to be in charge of iPhone Timelapse. Each person was positioned at different points on the track. It worked a dream!

So thanks to all the community film makers who helped me out with filming, timelapse and photography today; Emma Charlton, Rhonda Mc Donnell, Mardi and Sarah Gubby.

Side Note: Emma Charlton has now successfully involved herself in both of her favourite quirky aspects of Warrnambool; she has filmed the Undy 500 and she has created the Silver Ball Projection Festival, which she wrote a guest blog about a few weeks ago.

7
Comments

Suzi

What a fabulous random hysterical thing to do. There's no reason why it couldn't get rolled out to every regional town...anything that gets people laughing, in their underdacks (I love that word) and coming together cannot be a bad thing. I liked the story about the councillors getting on board last year, what a wonderful turn-around! Also dug your innovation and quick-thinking delegation Em, mobilising contributors to help tell this story. Definitely one for multiple cameras, you really captured the humour and pace of it beautifully. Great work ladies.

Dan Battley

This is great! I think everyone should go for a run in their undies at least once in their lives. Liberating. Well done the the film crew.

Sainers

Good one Emily!

Karen O'Brien

Thanks Emily.... It was such a fun morning and great to meet u.... The end product is brilliant.... Thanks for mentioning me with the iPhone!!! Lol!! ❤️Love ur work!! 👍👍

Rhonda Mc Donell

Thanks for the opportunity to learn and have so much fun at the same time Emily.
It was a great morning, and I love the finished product.

Wiriya Sati

Love the opening montage or front and backside warmups in underdacks. Love the morph suit - I still don't understand what it's all for but it certainly seems like a good idea for a town race! Well done team time-lapse.